The Panthers had no urgency to move Bryce Young’s most reliable pass catching target, unless Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was going to make them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Eventually, that came in the form a 2027 4th and 2026 5th rounder, in exchange for a 35-year-old Thielen and the Panthers’ 2027 5th rounder.

BACK WHERE HE BELONGS‼️

The #Vikings have agreed to terms on a trade to acquire @athielen19.https://t.co/GCRw2Mqq3B pic.twitter.com/Fk05MV2TW3

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 27, 2025

Shortly after news spread that the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers were deep in trade talks, over Adam Thielen, reports started coming out that he and his family would welcome the move.

In fact, his wife has been posting on social media about a possible move back home for days, posts that began almost immediately after the initial reports of negotiations surfaced.

Adam Thielen and family celebrate trade back to Minnesota Vikings

Adam’s wife, Caitlin Thielen, isn’t from Minnesota, but she is local to the area (kind of). Born in Appleton, WI, Mrs. Thielen relocated to the east Twin Cities suburbs during her childhood as a Green Bay Packers fan.

Caitlyn attended Woodbury high school, before graduating and enrolling at Mankato State (now University of Minnesota State – Mankato), where she met her future husband and father of three children, while also changing her NFL allegiances.

Thus, it’s not surprising that the entire Thielen family was ecstatic when they got the phone call notifying them that Adam had been traded back to the Minnesota Vikings, where they lived and he played for the first 9 seasons of his NFL career. Caitlin posted the Thielen’s celebration video to her Instagram account.

“WE’RE GOING HOME!”

Adam Thielen is HYPED to be returning to the #Vikings.

🎥: mrs_t_19 via IG pic.twitter.com/Atrk5ET4M3

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 27, 2025

Adam Thielen’s sons couldn’t wait to go to Minnesota when they found out their Dad got traded to the #Vikings:

“When are we gonna go.”

🎥: mrs_t_19 https://t.co/ceuQq737S0 pic.twitter.com/FNEC8SZs2Z

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 27, 2025

It probably hurt Kwesi to give up a 4th round pick, in order to bring Thielen home. Nonetheless, you have to believe their celebration upon completing the deal looked similar to Adam, Caitlin and their family.

Thielen fits what Vikings need perfectly

The Minnesota Vikings were desperate to add a legitimate WR3 to their roster who will be able to seamlessly integrate into Kevin O’Connell’s offense as a WR2, while Jordan Addison is serving a three game suspension to start the regular season.

For what the Vikings needed, there was no better fit league-wide than Thielen. At 33 and 34 years old, the Detroit Lakes kid caught 151 receptions (on 199 targets) for 1,629 yards and 9 touchdowns in two seasons as a Panther.

Related: 4 Most Surprising Players to be Cut From Vikings Roster

But before he left town, Adam was able to learn KOC’s offense when the two were together in Minnesota during the 2022 season, Thielen’s last in purple…. until now.

And the timing couldn’t be better, as the hometown wide receiver is exactly what the doctor ordered for a Vikings offense that now looks absolutely stacked when Addison returns in week four.

Minnesota Vikings trade for Adam Thielen

According to Adam Schefter (ESPN), and quickly followed up by other insiders around the league, Vikings fans need to get their #19 jerseys out. Just two seasons after he begrudgingly left Minnesota, Adam Thielen is coming home.

Thinking about Thielen back in purple less than two weeks from now is kind of crazy. While many of us hoped this deal would eventually get done, a reunion still felt far fetched as recent as this morning. Until it wasn’t.

Homecoming: Panthers and Vikings are finalizing a trade for WR Adam Thielen to return to Minnesota, sources tell ESPN.

The trade: Vikings get Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Panthers get a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027… pic.twitter.com/GETXaMjY21

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2025

Related: 4 Most Surprising Players to Make Vikings Roster

The most intriguing part of this trade, though, might be the compensation. Essentially, the two teams are swapping out 5th round picks in the next two drafts. In 2026, the Panthers will get the Vikings’ 5th round pick. One year later (2027), the Vikings will get the Panthers’ 5th.

That brings us to the headliner of this trade — the day two pick (4th rounder) that Minnesota is sending to Carolina. Ben Goessling revealed on Tuesday afternoon that the Panthers were originally asking for a 3rd round pick, in return for Thielen.

If you look closely at the final compensation, as it’s been reported, Carolina didn’t budge much. From a value standpoint, the Vikings sent a 4th for Thielen and took a hit in their 5th round swap.

• Vikings RECEIVE:
  • Adam Thielen
  • 2026 7th Rounder (conditional)
  • 2027 5th Rounder
• Panthers RECEIVE:
  • 2026 5th Rounder
  • 2027 4th Rounder

Vikings, reportedly Thielen working on contract extension

After just recently re-working his deal with the Panthers that boosted the ceiling of his 2025 contract, it appears he and the Minnesota Vikings are in talks to tear it up again. According to Dianna Russini (The Athletic), Adam Thielen and his favorite football team are in talks on a new deal.

The Vikings and Adam Thielen are working on a contract at this moment, per source. https://t.co/ZrpuaIaxKA

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 27, 2025

I’d imagine it won’t be short term, either. If Thielen is going to move his family back to Minnesota and re-settle his family back in their home state, I can’t imagine he wants to pack them up and leave again. It wouldn’t surprise me if this contract walks Thielen into the Vikings Ring of Honor waiting line by the time it expires.

Just after 7 PM, news broke that cornerback Mekhi Blackmon has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2026 6th round draft pick.

The #Vikings have agreed to terms on a trade that will send CB Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/nTqNid3WQh

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2025

Blackmon, who the Vikings selected in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL draft, played in 15 games as a rookie, even getting the start in three. He finished his first NFL season with 41 tackles, 1 interception and 8 passes defended.

Why did the Minnesota Vikings trade Mekhi Blackmon?

Heading into 2024, hopes were very high for the second-year cornerback out of USC and Colorado. He looked good during summer workouts and early during training camp too. Then, he tore his ACL and sat out all of 2024.

When he returned for training camp 2025, the now 26-year-old version of Mekhi Blackmon just hasn’t been the same guy. Throughout camp, you could tell that Blackmon was in jeopardy of missing out on the final 53-man roster.

Related: Adam Thielen Wants to Come Home; Vikings Trying…

Newcomers in the secondary like Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers were getting all the first team reps in practice, over Mekhi. During preseason games, they were getting the starter treatment, while Blackmon was playing deep into the second half of exhibition games.

In all likelihood, Mekhi Blackmon was not going to make the Minnesota Vikings’ 53-man roster, which is why they probably feel elated that they got another late round draft pick, in return.

It’s probably better that way, since the injury monster is seemingly picking off a new starter with every new session held lately at TCO Performance Center. But one absence in Eagan today had nothing to do with injury.

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips has been a staple on the Vikings’ starting defensive line since he joined the team via free agency, prior to the 2022 season, starting all 17 games in each of the three seasons he’s worn purple — which totals to 51 regular season and two playoff games.

Minnesota Vikings trade Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets

On Wednesday, according to multiple reports, the Minnesota Vikings traded Phillips to the New York Jets in exchange for two 6th round draft picks, one in 2026 and the other in 2027.

ESPN sources: Vikings are trading DT Harrison Phillips and a 2027 7th-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick and a 2027 6th-round pick, pending Phillips’ physical.

Phillips now joins Jowon Briggs as the second DT that the Jets traded for Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/5FkVEHsox3

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 20, 2025

The return feels light for a guy who has meant so much to this defense, but with no guaranteed money remaining on his contract after 2025, this move tells us that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was planning to move on from Harrison Phillips sooner than later. So, when he got an offer for two day three picks, Minnesota’s GM pulled the trigger.

During his three seasons as a Viking, Pro Football Focus has Phillips on the decline. He came to Minnesota in 2022, after posting the second best defense grade of his career (75.2) for Buffalo in 2021. In his first season as a Viking, Phillips put up a 72.0 defense rating.

Phillips on the decline… or were other options just better?

But since 2023, the now 29-year-old out of Stanford has been playing way more nose tackle, due to Minnesota’s lack of talent on the defensive interior. After lining up over center just 250 times during his NFL career prior to 2023, Phillips did it 249 times alone that season and 205 times again in 2024.

Not only did the move further inside hurt Minnesota’s run defense, but it crushed Harrison’s PFF grades too, dropping his overall defense grade below 60, to 59.7 in 2023 and 58.3 in 2024.

How long has Harrison Phillips been waiting to hit the griddy 😆 pic.twitter.com/a6xcecIWQM

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) November 10, 2024

Related: Insider Still Doubting Kwesi, MN Vikings Defense…

If the Jets are smart, they will put Phillips back where he belongs, which is what we thought the Vikings would do, after the signings of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.

But instead, with those two additions, along with the emergence of youngsters like Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Taki Taimani and Elijah Williams… Minnesota decided they were better off without Harrison Phillips on the roster.

According to Thor Nystrom, the Minnesota Vikings are not done making moves between now and the end of training camp. They took multiple calls today on Harrison Phillips, but other interested teams were notified that he had already been traded to the Jets.

A different team asked about Harrison Phillips this afternoon in trade negotiations with the Vikings — they were told he’d already been traded to the Jets.

Kwesi has been burning up the phone lines this past week — this is only the start of the trades.

Buckle up. https://t.co/FLtjJWtBWg

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 20, 2025

Not only does Kirill Kaprizov become eligible for a long-term contract extension, but the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyout penalties are set to mostly fall off the books too.

President of hockey operations Bill Guerin has made it very clear in recent weeks, however, that we shouldn’t be hoping too hard for Kirill to ink a deal immediately after the NHL calendar year rolls over. And after what happened Monday, there won’t be any big free agent splashes either.

What should Minnesota Wild fans expect from Vladimir Tarasenko

That’s because Guerin made a trade today instead, sending out “future considerations” to the Detroit Red Wings, in exchange for 33-year-old veteran winger, Vladimir Tarasenko and his entire $4.75 million salary next season.

Tarasenko has one year left on his contract at $4.75M. #mnwild take on full freight. Leaves them with $12.95 million and probably means they'll just be looking for a center tomorrow

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 30, 2025

Earlier in his career, Tarasenko was one of the top scoring wings in the National Hockey League. He’s scored over 30 goals six times during his 13-year NHL career, including 116 goals and 106 assists in three seasons with the St. Louis Blues between 2014 and 2016.

But in recent seasons, Tarasenko has been a shell of the superstar he was a decade ago. He hasn’t scored 30 goals since 2021-22 and last season, Vlad’s only in Detroit, he took a huge step back.

In 80 games with the Red Wings, Tarasenko scored just 11 goals and 22 assists, spending a large chunk of his 18:51 TOI on the third line. His 33 points in Detroit last year was the Russian winger’s lowest total of any season where he played 20 games or more.

Why did the Wild trade for Tarasenko?

So… why did the Minnesota Wild make the deal for Vladimir Tarasenko? A couple of reasons. First off, Detroit was looking to dump the salary of an incredibly talented player, for essentially nothing in return. Meanwhile, other free agent options would have required more money and more term.

We knew the Wild wanted to add a scoring winger to their arsenal; we figured that would come via free agency. But players such as Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mikael Granlund would have taken more term and probably dollars than the Wild wanted to invest.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

Related: Minnesota Wild Arena Renamed

According to Michael Russo (The Athletic), the Wild plan to play Tarasenko on the second line, where he will have either Ryan Hartman or Marco Rossi at center. Guerin hopes that will reinvigorate the 33-year-old’s career, and in turn, give Minnesota the high-caliber scoring forward they so desperately desire.

The plan now, per Russo, is for the Minnesota Wild to sit back on the cap space that will remain, after Kaprizov gets his extension, and wait for the perfect fit forward to present himself either before the NHL Trade Deadline or next offseason.

This trade essentially buys them a year to scour the landscape for a winger they do want to invest in via trade or free agency, or further develop from within their deep prospect pool.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

Minnesota Wild trade Freddy Gaudreau to Seattle

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch, especially after Thursday morning, when the Wild sent bottom six forward Freddy Gaudreau to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a fourth round draft pick, giving Minnesota five total draft picks on Saturday, between rounds two and eight.

The #SeaKraken have acquired center Freddy Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. pic.twitter.com/3Qiw2YJXZc

— Seattle Kraken PR (@SeattleKrakenPR) June 26, 2025

Related: MN Wild’s Latest Lowball Offer to Marco Rossi was Borderline Disrespectful

According to Michael Russo (The Athletic), this trade was about dumping Gaudreau’s $2.1 million salary, in order to clear space for what president of hockey operations Bill Guerin believes will allow them more wiggle room in the free agent center market.

What are the Seattle Kraken getting in Gaudreau?

Freddy Gaudreau heads West after four seasons in a Minnesota Wild sweater. After spending the first three years of his career in Nashville, where he played just 84 total games, Gaudreau spent one season in Pittsburgh (2020-21) before signing with the Wild prior to the 2021-22 season.

While in the State of Hockey, Gaudreau’s NHL career blossomed. He played in a total of 103 games before he arrived in Minnesota, totalling just 18 points between his time with the Preds and Pens. In his four seasons with the Wild, he played in 307 games, scoring 56 goals and totalling 134 points.

Last year, at age 32, Freddy Gaudreau put up one of the best seasons of his 8-year NHL career, potting 18 goals and assisting on 19 more. His role was increased, however, due to a chronic injury problem that ran through the Minnesota Wild locker room all season, but never touched Freddy.

But since his downfall started in August of last year, and as it continued into 2025, the Twins decided to stand by the 29-year-old righty. For a pitching staff that needs to step up while both Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews are on the injured list, Alcala has taken a step back.

Minnesota Twins trade Jorge Alcala to Red Sox

Then on Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers, Alcala gave up 5 earned runs on 5 hits in 1.2 innings pitched, which was finally the straw that broke Derek Falvey’s back. Wednesday, following the Twins’ first win in four games, Jorge Alcala was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Class A infielder, Andy Lugo.

Language barrier correction: Twins have traded RHP Jorge Alcala to Boston, the pitcher said. He’s saying goodbye to teammates in clubhouse.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) June 12, 2025

This season with the MN Twins, Alcala posted a terrible 8.88 ERA (5.42 FIP) across 22 appearances (24.1 IP). The 10.4 K/9 is a career-high but he’s walking a ridiculous 5.5 batters per nine innings and still serving up plenty of dingers.

The writing was on the wall for Jorge Alcala as soon as the Twins claimed lefty reliever Joey Wentz off waivers on Wednesday afternoon, after he was DFA’d by the Pittsburgh Pirates. They put Pablo Lopez on the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man spot.

Related: Minnesota Twins Claim Pirates Pitcher Off Waivers

The Minnesota Twins could not have demoted the seven-year veteran without clearing some serious hurdles. He is out of minor league options, and due to his accrued service time he could have rejected an assignment to Triple-A. He also is playing on a $1.5 million contract this season and would have been unlikely to be claimed on waivers.

Rather than gamble on the intentions of others teams through the waiver process, Derek Falvey acted in his best interest and swung a trade and even got the Red Sox to pick up all of Jorge Alcala’s remaining salary. This deal also closes the door on the Ryan Pressly (for Alcala and Gilberto Celestino) trade from the Houston Astros.

Who is Andy Lugo?

In return for their nearly 30-year-old Dominican relief pitcher, the Minnesota Twins received 21-year-old Dominican corner infield prospect, Andy Lugo, who joined the Boston Red Sox organization in 2022, at 18 years old.

He’ll likely join the Twins high-A affiliate in Cedar Rapids. Should you be excited about Lugo? That depends on how much you like bat flips…

Red Sox prospect Andy Lugo with one of the most comically high bat flips ever

(via @RealPedro_M) pic.twitter.com/Jr7qXpfZjF

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 20, 2025

So far this season at single A Greenville, Lugo has hit .265 with a .758 OPS. He has impressive speed and power, racking up 11 doubles already this season, to go with 4 home runs and 20 RBI. In his minor league career, Lugo is slashing a very competent .279/.344/.430.

It was the Wild’s third-straight loss. Their only win, since the 4 Nations Face-Off, came on the first game back after the break — a 4-3 comeback victory over the Detroit Red Wings that required a miraculous comeback from down 3-0 deep into the third period.

In other words, win or lose, this team has been skating uphill since the 4 Nations break ended. Coincidentally, that’s the same time news broke that Kaprizov is in danger of missing the rest of the season with a surgically repaired lower body injury he has been dealing with since Christmas.

That’s why it’s difficult to be all that frustrated by this skid. Winning was difficult back in November/December, when key players were cycling in and out of the lineup AROUND superstar Kirill Kaprizov. Even with the likes of Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon, Brock Faber and Eriksson Ek (the first time around) Kaprizov’s MVP-caliber play lifted everyone around him.

Minnesota Wild re-upping for 2nd Rental of Gustav Nyquist…?

Then last week, top center Joel Eriksson Ek suffered an injury during practice, forcing the Wild to place him on IR right next to Kaprizov. As of Saturday, we still do not know whether either player will return in time for the NHL Playoffs.

While they wait on more Kaprizov/Ek updates, Wild president of hockey operations Bill Guerin has been out snooping around the trade market, prior to the NHL trade deadline on March 7. And on Saturday afternoon, a few hours after Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic) originally reported the deal was close, a trade for 35-year-old Swedish winger Gustav Nyquist was made official.

#mnwild trade their 2026 second, and Preds retain half of the rest of the AAV https://t.co/lxHat5SGS9

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 1, 2025

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Nyquist had his first cup-of-coffee in Minnesota as a trade rental back in 2022-23. Back then, he was acquired while recovering from an injury, which kept him out until the very end of the regular season.

Because of that injury, the University of Maine alum played only nine total games in a Wild sweater (three regular season + six playoff games) his first time in Minnesota. But even fresh off an injury that caused Nyquist to miss nearly half of that 2022-23 season, the 13-year NHL veteran played incredibly well once he got on the ice.

In those nine games, Gustav Nyquist posted 10 total points (1 goal, 9 assists), including a team-leading five assists during Minnesota’s Wildcard playoff series loss vs the Dallas Stars.

NHL Video Highlight – R1, Gm2: Frederick Gaudreau gets Gustav Nyquist's pass, comes in all alone and scores on the backhand to make it 4-3 in the 2nd period. pic.twitter.com/llItgiSiOP

— Wild Game Bot (@MNWild_Game_Bot) April 20, 2023

Gustav Nyquist + MN Wild – Part II

This time around, the University of Maine alum — who has 9 goals and 21 total points (17:39 TOI), in 57 games with Nashville this season — is again due for unrestricted free agency in the offseason, meaning this could be another short-term stint with the Wild. That doesn’t scare either side, however, probably since

Originally, there was some red tape holding up this deal from being finalized, and it was probably money. Because when the deal finally became official, the Preds retained half of Nyquist’s salary for the rest of this season.

Nashville and Minnesota are talking about a potential Gustav Nyquist trade, per sources, which is why he's being held out today. But the trade is still not done. Could be a complication. Let's see where it goes.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 1, 2025

As of late Saturday morning, league sources told The Athletic that multiple teams were still pursuing Nyquist. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported there was a complication holding up a deal with the Wild.

Michael Russo and Joe Smith – The Athletic

Gustav Nyquist was originally selected by the Detroit Red Wings, in the 4th round (No. 121 overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft. The rest, as you would say, is history. 841 games later, Nyquist has racked up 207 NHL goals and 317 assists (524 points).

Even late into his career, Nyquist will immediately help the Minnesota Wild on special teams, where they have struggled all season long. Expect him to be featured on the penalty kill, for sure, and likely on the power play too.

Minnesota Wild waiting for injury timelines of Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek

Whether or not Eriksson Ek and/or Kirill Kaprizov plan to return this season will make the difference for Bill Guerin & Co at the NHL trade deadline. If they are able to return in time for the postseason, the Wild will be mostly quiet for the next week.

Related: Wild Recall Former First Round Forward

But if either/both end up on Long Term Injured Reserve, the Minnesota Wild will could receive as much as $15 million in additional cap space ($10M for Kaprizov, $5M for Eriksson Ek) that they can use to acquire talent before the NHL trade deadline on March 7.

With the NHL trade deadline (March 7) approaching fast, president of hockey operations Bill Guerin is trying to figure out how aggressive he will be able to act, over the course of the next week. I say that because it’s not really up to him.

If healthy, the Wild don’t have enough money to do anything all that significant before the deadline. Not unless they want to blow up their roster, which is unlikely. However, should Kaprizov and/or Eriksson Ek land on Long Term Injured Reserve, Minnesota would be rewarded enough money to do pretty much whatever they want.

Minnesota Wild trade (D) Joseph Cecconi to Kings for (F) Tyler Madden

But for now, any trades that the Minnesota Wild can make are expected to be of the quieter variety. Like the one that was completed on Wednesday evening, when Guerin shipped off 28-year-old Iowa Wild defenseman Joseph Cecconi to the Los Angeles Kings for 25-year-old forward prospect Tyler Madden.

Trade: #mnwild acquire F Tyler Madden from the #GoKingsGo for D Joseph Cecconi

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 27, 2025

Tyler Madden — whose dad John Madden played 13 years in the NHL, including one season (2010-11) with the Wild — has yet to play a game in the NHL. He has has a pretty productive 5 years in the AHL, though, potting a total of 58 goals and 67 assists (128 points) in 251 games, all with the Ontario Reign (LA Kings).

Related: Minnesota Wild Lose Defenseman to Reclaim

Madden is seen as a heady offensive center who loves to hang out in front of the net and obviously has a ton of NHL pedigree in his blood. For the Minnesota Wild, this seems like a low risk move to add more offensive punch down in Iowa, along with a safe call up to the NHL, if needed. We’ll see if he gets his first opportunity in the league, following this trade. For now, he will play in Iowa.

You know what's better than 1 goal? 2 GOALS!!
Goal by Tyler Madden!#ReignTrain | #ONTvsCV pic.twitter.com/OjVThrNlDu

— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 22, 2023

Joseph Cecconi only spent 51 games in AHL Iowa, where the Wild were a +5 while he was on the ice. He finished his time in the Hawkeye State with 2 goals and 12 assists. He’ll provide a great depth option on the blue line for the Kings, both in LA and Ontario.

Minnesota Twins send Michael Helman to St. Louis

Michael Helman made his major league debut for Minnesota last season, which made the utility man a member of the 40-man roster this offseason. In fact, Helman even made the trip to Minneapolis last weekend for Twins Fest. Just a few days later, he was shipped off to St. Louis for “cash considerations”.

We have acquired INF/OF Michael Helman from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations.

Our 40-player roster now stands at 40. pic.twitter.com/w88ZnhZ79u

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 6, 2025

We may never know how much money the MN Twins received in this deal, but the money is usually considered inconsequential. In this case, it’s the 40-man roster spot that president Derek Falvey and his front office was seeking to clear.

Helman was an 11th round pick by Minnesota back in 2018. After six seasons in the minor leagues he earned a call-up in 2024. Helman played in nine games for the Minnesota Twins last season. He had three hits in ten at bats. Two of them were doubles, and he scored a pair of runs.

After a slow start to his professional career, Helman found significant success at Triple-A each of the past two seasons. In 2023 he hit .296/.356/.546 across 27 games. Last year he had a .271/.350/.487 slash line.

When #MNTwins rookie Michael Helman turns on the jets, good things happen! Such a smooth slide. 😎 pic.twitter.com/kPq8JFxZHz

— Talkin' Twins (@TalkinTwins) September 10, 2024

Minnesota needed to clear a pair of 40-man spots in order to add their recent free agent acquisitions. The Cardinals trading for Helman allowed them to find one without needing to designate him for assignment.

Related: Minnesota Twins Trying to Add More Infield Depth, Specifically SS

It would have been difficult for Helman to find playing time at the big league level in Minnesota. He is already 28 years old and behind plenty of other utility options. His spot on the 40-man roster was well-earned, but was always going to be difficult to keep.

With the Cardinals, he can compete at multiple positions and look to break Spring Training with the major league club.

Ronny Henriquez DFA’d by MN Twins

On top of clearing a spot by moving Helman, the Minnesota Twins also designated Ronny Henriquez for assignment. He has seen this fate multiple times over his Minnesota career, and the bullpen was going to be tough for him to crack.

To make room on the 40-man roster, we have designated Ronny Henriquez for release or assignment

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) February 7, 2025

Minnesota acquired Henriquez in the Mitch Garver trade with Texas a couple of years ago. He didn’t pitch in the big leagues during 2023 but made a return last season. Across 19 1/3 innings, Henriquez posted a 3.26 ERA with 15 strikeouts.

Related: Minnesota Twins Sign Gold Glove Outfielder

Command has often been the problem for the young reliever. He is still just 24 years old and should have plenty of opportunities in front of him. If the Twins can squeeze him through waivers again, it makes sense to stash him as a depth arm in St. Paul.